Part Two--"Body Building"

The next step is to crochet the body. This is probably the most important part of the doll because if the body is off, the whole thing will look funny. The pattern is simple enough and I follow it to the letter (or so I think).

You guessed it; it looks odd. I can't really tell as I'm working the lower half, but something is wrong. I keep stitching to the end because I know I can't readjust the pattern to suit my needs unless I see it fully done. Finished, my piece looks like it has "secretary spread." It has a bubble butt and a tiny neck.

I head back to the computer in an effort to determine whether the problem is me or a flaw in the pattern. As I read the comments posted on WolfDreamer's page, I find a blogger in France who has made the pattern and posted pictures of the finished product in her own blog. Sure enough, her Toad is perfect...Great.

My frustration level has reached a high. I know myself very well. If I push myself to keep going I'll only become more frustrated and eventually abandon the project altogether. I choose to walk away for a while. Perhaps I'll move on to the arms and feet before I return to finish the body.

A Labor of Love, an Exercise in Frustration

My mother taught me to crochet when I was eight years old. I'm quite good at it. So long as I stay away from projects that require me to check my gauge, I'm just fine. I simply do not have the patience to make and check test swatches, but I'm going off my intended topic...

For a few years I've been slowly collecting patterns for "plushies." I've made one, a stuffed mouse cat toy for a friend's "baby." It was simple and came out looking great. Over the past couple of months, thanks to the influence of my dear nephews, ages five and seven, my pattern collection has grown immensely. Finally, the boys have convinced me to begin a project that's a bit more complicated. I've been toying with the idea of starting a blog, so I figured now is the time. I'd like to invite you to join me as I document my progress with this pattern that's captured my heart (and tested my patience).

The pattern is free and was created by WolfDreamer. You'll find it here: http://wolfdreamer-oth.blogspot.com/2009/08/toad-and-toadette.html